According to a December 2025 report on winter holiday destinations, Brussels is the best place to spend Christmas this year. The study by MyCross examined cities across the world based on festive atmosphere and activities.

• Brussels is the best city for a Christmas getaway, with pleasant 9°C winter temperatures and more than 80 holiday activities.
• Chicago takes first place among US cities for Christmas, hosting 4 festive markets and expecting 6 snow days in December.
• A week-long Christmas stay in Zurich costs just under $700, making it one of the cheapest holiday destinations in Europe.

The research compared more than 35 international cities to find where travelers can get the best Christmas holiday experiences. The study looked at classic holiday attractions, like Christmas markets, ice-skating rinks, and seasonal events, as well as practical factors such as safety and daily costs for meals and hotels. The research also considered December weather and how early each city starts its Christmas preparations. Together, these factors give travelers a clearer idea of what they can expect from these destinations at Christmastime.

Here’s a look at the top 10 cities for Christmas getaways in 2025:

City	Search Volume “Christmas in {City}”	Number of Christmas Activities	Christmas Preparation Start Date	Safety Index	Average Temperature in December °C	Snow days	Total Daily Expenses (Hotel, Food)
Brussels	502K	83	November 28	43.9	9	2	112.5
Paris	292K	207	November 15	42.0	9.9	1	101.9
Liverpool	332K	117	November 15	51.5	9.7	0	122.3
Zurich	199K	82	November 20	76.6	6.3	14	96.5
Manchester	548K	92	November 7	43.9	8.1	2	122.7
Dublin	698K	136	December 8	46.0	9.4	0	141.7
Chicago	2.04M	198	November 21	34.5	4	6	125.8
Salzburg	203K	47	November 20	79.5	7.4	1	121.3
Bristol	223K	42	November 7	57.0	9.7	0	121.0
Strasbourg	1.67M	93	November 26	59.2	8.3	8	427.2

You can access the complete research findings here.

1. Brussels

• Total daily expenses: $112 (food and hotel)
• Christmas activities: 83 total (1 market, 20 ice rinks, 11 events)
• December weather: 9°C average, 2 snow days

Brussels is the best place to spend the upcoming Christmas. The Belgian capital has 83 festive activities spread across markets, skating rinks, and holiday events, giving tourists plenty of ways to enjoy the season. Moving around the city will be enjoyable too, as the weather stays mild here, with temperatures around 9°C and occasional snow. Brussels is also a less expensive getaway compared to other Western capitals, costing just over $110 a day.

2. Paris

Paris comes second, offering more than 200 Christmas activities across the city, far more than any other holiday destination. Locals here organize 20 Christmas villages and set up 13 ice skating rinks, with pleasant December temperatures (10°C) making outdoor attractions even more fun. Despite its pricey reputation, daily expenses in Paris are low as well, running about $100 when you combine hotel and meals.

3. Liverpool

Liverpool ranks third with one of the most festive atmospheres in Britain. The city puts up Christmas decorations early, on November 15, offering more than 100 holiday activities across its neighborhoods. December brings mild 10°C temperatures and zero snow days here, meaning outdoor festivities can go ahead without the weather getting in the way. Best of all, Liverpool is also noticeably safer for families traveling with kids.

4. Zurich

Zurich comes next as the most affordable Christmas destination in the top 5. Tourists will have to budget under $100 for food and lodging, which is significantly less than what other places charge. Zurich’s another advantage is the real winter weather, as 14 snow days in December give the city a classic Christmassy feel. Families here won’t have to worry about safety either, as Zurich sees one of the lowest crime rates in Europe (77/100 safety index).

5. Manchester

Manchester rounds out the top five as another British alternative for Christmas. The city organizes up to 90 festive activities during the season, similar to neighboring Liverpool. Among them are 10 Christmas markets that keep the holiday spirit alive. Decorations here go up on November 7, and that early start also helps explain the city’s popularity, as more than half a million people are now looking up Manchester holiday options online.

The CEO of MyCross commented on the study:

“Most people think of London, Amsterdam, or New York when they’re planning a Christmas holiday. Those cities are obviously fantastic for a vacation. But if you’ve already visited them, our study shows that there are other great alternatives too. For example, Liverpool and Manchester, which don’t usually show up in Christmas travel conversations. Yet, as we saw, they offer just as much festive atmosphere without the crowds you’d find in the bigger cities.”